NBA Rookie of the Year: Flagg, Knueppel, Edgecombe

It's April 20th. Welcome to Charlotte Hornets News today, AI-powered coverage of your squad.

I'm Cory with the story. The NBA just named the finalists for the 2025-26 Rookie of the Year award, and it's a battle between Dallas Mavericks Ford.

Cooper Flag, Charlotte Hornets, Guard, Con the Wepple, and Philadelphia 76ers, Guard B.J. Edgecomb.

Flag dominated with an average of 21 points, 6.7 rebounds, 4.5 assists, and 1.2 steals per game across.

70 appearances, shooting nearly 47% from the field. He topped all rookies and scoring and notched the most 30-point games by a first-year player, since Victor Wimbanyamas Rookie Year.

Newepple wasn't far behind, putting up 18.5 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 3.4 assists in 81 games. Wow.

Draining 3s at 42.5%. He made history as the first rookie to leave the league in 3-pointers with 273, and he had at least 530 points.

Outings. Edgecomb rounded out the trio, averaging 16 points, 5.6 rebounds, 4.2 assists, and 1.4 steals over 75.

Games hitting 35.4% from deep. He led the entire NBA and loose balls recovered with 79 and ranked third among rookies and scoring.

A global panel of 100 sportswriters and broadcasters voted with ballots due Friday at 3pm, Eastern Time, and revealed on NBC.

It's shaping up as a tight race, especially Flag vs. Newepple, and we'll hear the winner during the playoffs.